Electronic device

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is an electronic device including a display unit that includes a main region and a sub region surrounding the main region, and a controller that, in response to an occurrence of an event, outputs to the sub region a second screen information associated with a first screen information that is output to the main region before the event occurs.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an electronic device equipped with adisplay unit.

BACKGROUND ART

An electronic device is broadly categorized by mobility into a mobileelectronic device (mobile terminal) and a stationary electronic device(stationary terminal). The electronic device is further categorized byportability into a handheld terminal and a vehicle-mounted terminal.

In response to an increasing demand for diversified functions, theelectronic device has been realized in the form of a multimedia playerwith multiple functions such as shooting a photographic object as astill image or moving images, reproducing digital audio and videocompression files, playing a game, receiving a broadcast or the like.Furthermore, structural and software modifications to the electronicdevice are considered for supporting and improving functions of theelectronic device.

Recent advancements in telecommunication technologies have made itpossible to make connections between electronic devices or terminalsincluded in a size-fixed space, such as a home and an office, over anetwork, and to make use of them. For example, the connection betweenelectronic devices in the home over the network is called a homenetwork, and the electronic devices connected to a central server overthe home network is possible to control in the home in which the homenetwork is installed.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION Technical Problem

An object of the present invention is to provide an electronic devicecapable of outputting information in various ways.

Solution to Problem

To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with the purposeof the present invention, as embodied and broadly described herein,there is provided an electronic device including a display unit thatincludes a main region and a sub region surrounding the main region, anda controller that, in response to an occurrence of an event, outputs tothe sub region a second screen information associated with a firstscreen information that is output to the main region before the eventoccurs.

In the electronic device, when the event occurs, information relating tothe event may be output to the main region.

In the electronic device, wherein when a different event occurs afterthe event has occurred, the controller outputs information relating tothe different event to the main region, while the information relatingto the event is being output to the main region.

In the electronic device, when the outputting of the informationrelating to the event that is output to the main region is terminated,the first screen information is output back to the main region, based onselection by a user.

In the electronic device, when the first screen information is outputback to the main region, the outputting of the second screen informationthat is being output to the sub region may be terminated.

In the electronic device, when the multiple events sequentially occur,the controller may output the multiple main regions that correspond tothe multiple events, respectively.

In the electronic device, the controller may output the second screeninformation to a specific position within the sub region according to atype of the first screen information.

In the electronic device, when the first screen information isinformation relating to time, as the time goes by, the controller maychange the position within the sub region, to which the second screeninformation is output.

The electronic device may further include a wireless communication unitthat is configured to communicate with at least one different electronicdevice, in which, if the first screen information is informationrelating to a status of the different electronic device, in response toa predetermined-type touch on the sub region, the controller maytransmit control information relating to control of the differentelectronic device to the different electronic device through thewireless communication unit and may change the first screen informationto information relating to the status of the different electronic devicethat is changed based on the control information.

In the electronic device, at least one portion of the controlinformation may be displayed on the sub region.

In the electronic device, a visual key for receiving a control commandassociated with a change in the status of the different electronicdevice may be output to the sub region.

The electronic device may further include a sensing unit that isconfigured to detect that a user approaches a main body of theelectronic device, in which, when the user approaches the main body ofthe electronic device in such a manner that a distance between the userand the main body is a predetermined distance or below, the controllermay output the visual key.

In the electronic device, when at least one portion of the first screeninformation is dragged to the sub region, the controller outputs thesecond screen information to a position to which the at least oneportion of the first screen information is dragged.

In the electronic device, the first screen information may includemultiple graphic objects, in which the at least one portion of the firstscreen information may be at least one of the multiple graphic objects,and the second screen information may be information relating to the atleast one graphic object.

In the electronic device, when the second screen information is outputto the sub region in response to the occurrence of the event, the firstscreen information may disappear from the main region.

In the electronic device, when the second screen information that isoutput to the sub region is dragged to the main region in a state wherethe first screen information disappears from the main region, the firstscreen information may be output back to the main region.

In the electronic device, the main region may differ in size from thesub region according to a type of the event.

The electronic device may further include a sensing unit that is formedto detect that the user approaches a main body of the electronic device,in which the controller may identify the user whom the sensing unitdetects as approaching the main body and may output information relatingto the identified user to the main region.

In the electronic device, when a distance between the main body of theelectronic device and the user is a reference distance or above,information relating to the identified user, which is output to the mainregion, may be output to the sub region.

In the electronic device, when the sensing unit detects that a differentuser, not the identified user, approaches, the outputting of theinformation relating to the identified user, which is being output tothe main region, may be terminated.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is providedan electronic device includes a window that includes a main region and aloop-shaped sub region surrounding the main region, a display unit thatis arranged in a rear surface of the window and is configured in such amanner that screen information is output to the main region and the subregion, and a controller that is configured such that when a change dueto an occurrence of an event occurs in a first screen information thatis output to the first region, a second screen information is output tothe second region.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

When the event occurs, the electronic device according to the presentinvention outputs the information relating to the event to the mainregion and outputs to the sub region the information relating to theinformation that is being output to the main region. Thus, the user canbe provided with the information more effectively.

When the approaching user is detected, the electronic device accordingto the present invention detects who the approaching user is and howclose the approaching user comes to the main body and provides theinformation relating to the identified user. Accordingly, the user canbe provided with information tailed to his/her needs.

In addition, the electronic device according to the present inventioncommunicates with at least one different electronic device to transmitand receive the control information and this realizes a home networkenvironment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an electronic device according toone embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2a and FIG. 2b are diagrams, each illustrating an example ofrealizing the electronic device according to the present invention.

FIG. 3a to FIG. 3c are diagrams each illustrating an example ofdisplaying information to a display unit of the electronic deviceaccording to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for describing a control method that is according toa distance between the electronic device and a user.

FIG. 5a to FIG. 5d are diagrams, each illustrating an example in whichwhen a specific user is identified in the electronic device 100according to the present invention, the information is displayed on thedisplay unit.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart for describing operation of the electronic deviceaccording to the present invention.

FIG. 7 to FIG. 13 are diagrams, each illustrating an embodimentassociated with the operation of the electronic device describedreferring to FIG. 3a to FIG. 3 c.

FIGS. 14 to 16 are diagrams, each illustrating an example in whichanother electronic apparatus is controlled through the electronicapparatus 100 according to the present invention.

FIG. 17 and FIG. 18 are diagrams, each for describing an operation thatdepends on the identification of the user, the extent with which theuser approaches a main body of the electronic device), and theidentification of a different user in the electronic apparatus accordingto the present invention.

MODE FOR THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, an electronic device according to the present inventionwill be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanyingdrawings. For the sake of brief description with reference to thedrawings, the same or equivalent components will be provided with thesame reference numbers, and description thereof will not be repeated.

A suffix “module” or “unit” used for constituent elements disclosed inthe following description is merely intended for easy description of thespecification, and the suffix itself does not give any special meaningor function.

In describing the present invention, if a detailed explanation for arelated known function or construction is considered to unnecessarilydivert the gist of the present disclosure, such explanation has beenomitted but would be understood by those skilled in the art.

The accompanying drawings are used to help easily understood thetechnical idea of the present invention and it should be understood thatthe idea of the present disclosure is not limited by the accompanyingdrawings.

The electronic device according to the present disclosure may includelaptop computers, digital broadcasting terminals, Personal DigitalAssistants (PDA), Portable Multimedia Players (PMP), navigation systems,slate PCs, tablet PCs, ultra books, etc. However, it may be easilyunderstood by those skilled in the art that the configuration accordingto the exemplary embodiments of this specification can be applied tostationary terminals such as digital TVs, desktop computers and the likeexcluding a case of being applicable only to the electronic devices.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an electronic device in accordance with oneexemplary embodiment.

The electronic device 100 may comprise components, such as a wirelesscommunication unit 110, an Audio/Video (AN) input unit 120, a user inputunit 130, a sensing unit 140, an output unit 150, a memory 160, aninterface unit 170, a controller 180, a power supply unit 190, and thelike. FIG. 1 shows the electronic device 100 having various components,but it is understood that implementing all of the illustrated componentsis not a requirement. Greater or fewer components may alternatively beimplemented.

Hereinafter, each component is described in sequence.

The wireless communication unit 110 may typically include one or morecomponents which permit wireless communications between the electronicdevice 100 and a wireless communication system or between the electronicdevice 100 and a network within which the electronic device 100 islocated. For example, the wireless communication unit 110 may include abroadcast receiving module 111, a mobile communication module 112, awireless internet module 113, a short-range communication module 114, aposition information module 115 and the like.

The broadcast receiving module 111 receives broadcast signals and/orbroadcast associated information from an external broadcast managementserver (or other network entity) via a broadcast channel.

The broadcast channel may include a satellite channel and/or aterrestrial channel.

The broadcast management server may be a server that generates andtransmits a broadcast signal and/or broadcast associated information ora server that receives a previously generated broadcast signal and/orbroadcast associated information and transmits the same to a terminal.The broadcast associated information may refer to information associatedwith a broadcast channel, a broadcast program or a broadcast serviceprovider. The broadcast signal may include a TV broadcast signal, aradio broadcast signal, a data broadcast signal, and the like. Also, thebroadcast signal may further include a broadcast signal combined with aTV or radio broadcast signal.

The broadcast associated information may also be provided via a mobilecommunication network and, in this case, the broadcast associatedinformation may be received by the mobile communication module 112.

The broadcast signal may exist in various forms. For example, it mayexist in the form of an electronic program guide (EPG) of digitalmultimedia broadcasting (DMB), electronic service guide (ESG) of digitalvideo broadcast-handheld (DVB-H), and the like.

The broadcast receiving module 111 may be configured to receive signalsbroadcast by using various types of broadcast systems. In particular,the broadcast receiving module 111 may receive a digital broadcast byusing a digital broadcast system such as multimediabroadcasting-terrestrial (DMB-T), digital multimediabroadcasting-satellite (DMB-S), digital video broadcast-handheld(DVB-H), the data broadcasting system known as media forward link only(MediaFLO®), integrated services digital broadcast-terrestrial (ISDB-T),etc. The broadcast receiving module 111 may be configured to be suitablefor every broadcast system that provides a broadcast signal as well asthe above-mentioned digital broadcast systems.

Broadcasting signals and/or broadcasting associated information receivedthrough the broadcast receiving module 111 may be stored in the memory160.

The mobile communication module 112 transmits/receives wireless signalsto/from at least one of network entities (e.g., base station, anexternal terminal, a server, etc.) on a mobile communication network.Here, the wireless signals may include audio call signal, video callsignal, or various formats of data according to transmission/receptionof text/multimedia messages.

The mobile communication module 112 may implement a video call mode anda voice call mode. The video call mode indicates a state of calling withwatching a callee's image. The voice call mode indicates a state ofcalling without watching the callee's image. The wireless communicationmodule 112 may transmit and receive at least one of voice and image inorder to implement the video call mode and the voice call mode.

The wireless internet module 113 supports wireless Internet access forthe electronic device. This module may be internally or externallycoupled to the electronic device 100. Examples of such wireless Internetaccess may include Wireless LAN (WLAN) (Wi-Fi), Wireless Broadband(Wibro), World Interoperability for Microwave Access (Wimax), High SpeedDownlink Packet Access (HSDPA), and the like.

The short-range communication module 114 denotes a module forshort-range communications. Suitable technologies for implementing thismodule may include BLUETOOTH, Radio Frequency IDentification (RFID),Infrared Data Association (IrDA), Ultra-WideBand (UWB), ZigBee, and thelike.

The position information module 115 denotes a module for sensing orcalculating a position of a electronic device. An example of theposition information module 115 may include a Global Position System(GPS) module.

Referring to FIG. 1, the A/V input unit 120 is configured to receive anaudio or video signal. The A/V input unit 120 may include a camera 121,a microphone 122 or the like. The camera 121 processes image data ofstill pictures or video acquired by an image capture device in a videocapturing mode or an image capturing mode. The processed image framesmay be displayed on a display unit 151.

The image frames processed by the camera 121 may be stored in the memory160 or transmitted via the wireless communication unit 110. The camera121 may be provided in two or more according to the configuration of theelectronic device.

The microphone 122 may receive sounds (audible data) via a microphone ina phone call mode, a recording mode, a voice recognition mode, and thelike, and can process such sounds into audio data. The processed audio(voice) data may be converted for output into a format transmittable toa mobile communication base station via the mobile communication module112 in case of the phone call mode. The microphone 122 may implementvarious types of noise canceling (or suppression) algorithms to cancel(or suppress) noise or interference generated in the course of receivingand transmitting audio signals.

The user input unit 130 may generate key input data from commandsentered by a user to control various operations of the mobilecommunication terminal. The user input unit 130 may include a keypad, adome switch, a touch pad (e.g., a touch sensitive member that detectschanges in resistance, pressure, capacitance, etc. due to beingcontacted) a jog wheel, a jog switch, and the like.

The sensing unit 140 detects a position of the electronic device 100, auser's approaching degree, etc. A signal sensed by the sensing unit 140may be transferred to the controller 180. Further, the sensing unit 140can detect whether or not the power supply unit 190 supplies power,whether or not the interface unit 170 is coupled with an externaldevice, etc.

The output unit 150 is configured to provide outputs in a visual,audible, and/or tactile manner. The output unit 150 may include thedisplay unit 151, an audio output module 152, an alarm unit 153, ahaptic module 154, and the like.

The display unit 151 may display information processed in the electronicdevice 100. For example, when the electronic device 100 is in an eventinformation output mode, the display unit 151 may display an electronicdevice corresponding to a received event, and a User Interface (UI) or aGraphic User Interface (GUI) associated with received event information.

When the electronic device 100 is in a call mode, the display unit 151may display a UI or GUI associated with a call.

The display unit 151 may be implemented using, for example, at least oneof a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD), a Thin Film Transistor-Liquid CrystalDisplay (TFT-LCD), an Organic Light-Emitting Diode (OLED), a flexibledisplay, a three-dimensional (3D) display, an e-ink display and e-paper.

When the display unit 151 is implemented as electronic paper, power fordisplaying information on the display unit 51 can be reduced.

Here, if the display unit 151 and a touch sensitive sensor (referred toas a touch sensor) have a layered structure therebetween, the structuremay be referred to as a touch screen. The display unit 151 may be usedas an input device rather than an output device. The touch sensor may beimplemented as a touch film, a touch sheet, a touch pad, and the like.

The touch sensor may be configured to convert changes of a pressureapplied to a prescribed part of the display unit 151, or a capacitanceoccurring from a prescribed part of the display unit 151, into electricinput signals. Also, the touch sensor may be configured to sense notonly a touched position and a touched area, but also a touch pressure.

When touch inputs are sensed by the touch sensors, corresponding signalsare transmitted to a touch controller (not shown). The touch controllerprocesses the received signals, and then transmits corresponding data tothe controller 180. Accordingly, the controller 180 may sense whichregion of the display unit 151 has been touched.

Referring to FIG. 1, a proximity sensor may be arranged at an innerregion of the electronic device blocked by the touch screen, or near thetouch screen. The proximity sensor indicates a sensor to sense presenceor absence of an object approaching to a surface to be sensed, or anobject disposed near a surface to be sensed, by using an electromagneticfield or infrared rays without a mechanical contact. The proximitysensor has a longer lifespan and a more enhanced utility than a contactsensor.

The proximity sensor may include a transmissive type photoelectricsensor, a direct reflective type photoelectric sensor, a mirrorreflective type photoelectric sensor, a high-frequency oscillationproximity sensor, a capacitance type proximity sensor, a magnetic typeproximity sensor, an infrared rays proximity sensor, and so on. When thetouch screen is implemented as a capacitance type, proximity of apointer to the touch screen is sensed by changes of an electromagneticfield. In this case, the touch screen (touch sensor) may be categorizedinto a proximity sensor.

Hereinafter, for the sake of brief explanation, a status that thepointer is positioned to be proximate onto the touch screen withoutcontact will be referred to as ‘proximity touch’, whereas a status thatthe pointer substantially comes in contact with the touch screen will bereferred to as ‘contact touch’. For the position corresponding to theproximity touch of the pointer on the touch screen, such positioncorresponds to a position where the pointer faces perpendicular to thetouch screen upon the proximity touch of the pointer.

The proximity sensor senses proximity touch, and proximity touchpatterns (e.g., distance, direction, speed, time, position, movingstatus, etc.). Information relating to the sensed proximity touch andthe sensed proximity touch patterns may be output onto the touch screen.

The audio output module 152 may convert and output as sound audio datareceived from the wireless communication unit 110 or stored in thememory 160 in a call signal reception mode, a call mode, a record mode,a voice recognition mode, a broadcast reception mode, and the like.Also, the audio output module 152 may provide audible outputs related toa particular function performed by the electronic device 100 (e.g., acall signal reception sound, a message reception sound, etc.). The audiooutput module 152 may include a speaker, a buzzer, and so on. A speakerincluded in the audio output module 152 may be implemented as a thinfilm type.

The alarm unit 153 may provide outputs to inform about the occurrence ofan event of the electronic device 100. Typical events may include callreception, message reception, key signal inputs, a touch input, etc. Inaddition to audio or video outputs, the alarm unit 153 may provideoutputs in a different manner to inform about the occurrence of anevent. The video signal or the audio signal may be output via thedisplay unit 151 or the audio output module 152. Accordingly, thedisplay unit 151 or the audio output module 152 may be classified as apart of the alarm unit 153.

The memory 160 may store a program for the processing and control of thecontroller 180. Alternatively, the memory 160 may temporarily storeinput/output data (e.g., power usage amount, average power usage amount,electronic device usage pattern, etc.). Also, the memory 160 may storedata relating to various patterns of vibrations and audio output uponthe touch input on the touch screen.

The memory 160 may be implemented using any type of suitable storagemedium including a flash memory type, a hard disk type, a multimediacard micro type, a memory card type (e.g., SD or DX memory), RandomAccess Memory (RAM), Static Random Access Memory (SRAM), Read-OnlyMemory (ROM), Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-only Memory(EEPROM), Programmable Read-only Memory (PROM), magnetic memory,magnetic disk, optical disk, and the like. Also, the electronic device100 may operate a web storage which performs the storage function of thememory 160 on the Internet.

The interface unit 170 may generally be implemented to interface theelectronic device with external devices. The interface unit 170 mayallow a data reception from an external device, a power delivery to eachcomponent in the electronic device 100, or a data transmission from theelectronic device 100 to an external device. The interface unit 170 mayinclude, for example, wired/wireless headset ports, external chargerports, wired/wireless data ports, memory card ports, ports for couplingdevices having an identification module, audio Input/Output (I/O) ports,video I/O ports, earphone ports, and the like.

The identification module may be configured as a chip for storingvarious information required to authenticate an authority to use theelectronic device 100, which may include a User Identity Module (UIM), aSubscriber Identity Module (SIM), a Universal Subscriber Identity Module(USIM), and the like. Also, the device having the identification module(hereinafter, referred to as ‘identification device’) may be implementedin a type of smart card. Hence, the identification device can be coupledto the electronic device 100 via a port.

Also, the interface unit 170 may serve as a path for power to besupplied from an external cradle to the electronic device 100 when theelectronic device 100 is connected to the external cradle or as a pathfor transferring various command signals inputted from the cradle by auser to the electronic device 100. Such various command signals or powerinputted from the cradle may operate as signals for recognizing that theelectronic device 100 has accurately been mounted to the cradle.

The controller 180 typically controls the overall operations of theelectronic device 100. For example, the controller 180 performs thecontrol and processing associated with telephony calls, datacommunications, video calls, and the like. The controller 180 mayinclude a multimedia module 181 which provides multimedia playback. Themultimedia module 181 may be configured as part of the controller 180 oras a separate component.

The controller 180 can perform a pattern recognition processing so as torecognize writing or drawing input on the touch screen as text or image.

The power supply unit 190 serves to supply power to each component byreceiving external power or internal power under control of thecontroller 180.

Various embodiments described herein may be implemented in acomputer-readable medium using, for example, software, hardware, or somecombination thereof.

For a hardware implementation, the embodiments described herein may beimplemented within one or more of Application Specific IntegratedCircuits (ASICs), Digital Signal Processors (DSPs), Digital SignalProcessing Devices (DSPDs), Programmable Logic Devices (PLDs), FieldProgrammable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), processors, controllers,micro-controllers, micro processors, other electronic units designed toperform the functions described herein, or a selective combinationthereof. In some cases, such embodiments are implemented by thecontroller 180.

For software implementation, the embodiments such as procedures andfunctions may be implemented together with separate software moduleseach of which performs at least one of functions and operations.

The software codes can be implemented with a software applicationwritten in any suitable programming language. Also, the software codesmay be stored in the memory 160 and executed by the controller 180.

A shape of an electronic device 100 illustrated in FIG. 1, according tothe present invention is described in detail below referring to theaccompanying drawings.

FIG. 2a and FIG. 2b are diagrams, each illustrating an example ofrealizing the electronic device according to the present invention.

The electronic device 100 according to the present invention is arrangedin various places, such as a home, an office, and a store. Theelectronic device 100 is practically used for various purposes accordingto a place where the electronic device 100 is arranged and is placed invarious locations according to a user's reference.

For example, if the electronic device 100 is arranged in a home, theelectronic device 100 helps a family member manage his/her daily jobs.As one example, the electronic device 100 manages a schedule for thefamily member or provides useful information for daily life, such astime information, a weather report, and a traffic report.

On the other hand, if the electronic device 100 is arranged in theoffice, the electronic device 100 provides the user with advancements injob efficiency. For example, the electronic device 100 arranged in theoffice provides the user with a task schedule.

The electronic device 100 comes in various shapes. The electronic device100 is configured to take on a circular shape, as illustrated in FIG. 2a, or is configured to take on a square shape, as illustrated in FIG. 2b.

The electronic device 100 is equipped with the display unit 151 to whichvisual information on is output. The display unit 151 includes a mainregion 151 a and a sub region 151 b surrounding the main region 151 aand the visual information is output to both the main region 151 a andthe sub region 151 b. According to the present embodiment, the displayunit 151 is configured in software such that it divides into the mainregion 151 a and the sub region 151 b.

Alternatively, the display unit 151 may be configured in hardware suchthat it divides into the main region 151 a and the sub region 151 b. Forexample, the sub region 151 b may be configured to be a loop-shapedbezel region surrounding the main region 151 a. The bezel region is seenas different in color from the main region 151 a with the user's unaidedeyes.

The main region 151 a and the sub region 151 b are configured such thatthey can be driven independently of each other. For example, the mainregion 151 a and the sub region 151 b are freely switched between anactivated (ON) state and an inactivated (OFF) state. When one of themain region 151 a and the sub region 151 b is in the ON state, the otheris in the OFF state.

The shape of the display unit 151 is configured to be the same as orsimilar to an external shape of the electronic device 100. Even thoughthe shape of the display unit 151 is not the same or similar to theexternal shape of the electronic device 100, a shape of a portion of theshape of the display 151 that is exposed to the outside is configured tobe the same or similar to the external shape of the electronic device100.

As illustrated in FIG. 2a and FIG. 2c , the electronic device 100includes a support (or a prop, 102). The user can place the electronicdevice 100 at a desired place using the support 102. On the other hand,although not illustrated, the electronic device 100 according to thepresent invention is configured to be wall-mountable. Thus, the electricapparatus 100 is mounted on the wall.

The electronic device 100 according to the present invention is notlimited to the shapes described above. It is apparent that theelectronic device 100 can take on various shapes.

In the electronic device 100 according to the present invention,information is output to the display unit 151 in various ways. Adescription of this is provided in more detail below referring to theaccompanying drawings.

FIG. 3a to FIG. 3c are diagrams, each illustrating an example ofdisplaying information on the display unit 151 of the electronic device100 according to the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 3a to FIG. 3c , before an event occurs, first screeninformation relating to various functions of the electronic device 100is output to the main region 151 a in the ON state. The first screeninformation includes all types of information that are available fordisplay on the main region 151 a. The first screen information includesat least one or more pieces of information, among a piece of timeinformation, a piece of weather information, a piece of statusinformation relating to various electronic device, a piece of scheduleinformation and the like.

For example, as illustrated in FIG, 3A, the time information is outputto the main region 151 a. In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 3b , ifthe electronic device 100 is connected to at least one of the otherelectronic devices (is in a state where communication is available formutually exchanging information), the status information relating to theother apparatus is output to the main region 151 a. Specifically, theelectronic device 100 is connected to various household appliances thatare installed in the home, and the status information (as one example,an amount of power consumption, desired air-conditioner temperature, andpower-on or -off status of rooms). Accordingly, the user can recognizethe status of the various household appliances at first glance andadditionally control them.

On the other hand, as illustrated in FIG. 3a and FIG. 3b , when thefirst screen information is output to the main region 151 a, the subregion 151 b is in the inactivated state. However, the sub region 151 isnot necessarily limited to this state. As illustrated in FIG. 3c , whenthe first screen information is output to the main region 151 a,information may be output the sub region 151 b as well. For example, thefirst screen information including the status information on the otherapparatus and the weather information is displayed on the main region151 a, and second screen information including the time information isdisplayed on the sub region 151 b. As illustrated, the time informationdisplayed on the sub region 151 b is in the shape of an analog watch. Agraphic object 151 c in the shape of a short thick bar in the drawingsindicates an hour hand, and a graphic object 151 d in the shape of along thin bar indicates a minute hand.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for describing a control method that is according toa distance between the electronic device 100 and the user.

Referring to FIG. 4, the electronic device 100 according to the presentinvention is configured such that if the user approaches the electronicdevice 100, information relating to the approaching user or specifiedinformation is output. In addition, the electronic device 100 accordingto the present invention is configured such that at least one piece ofinformation among various pieces of visual information and at least onepiece of information among various pieces of aural information isoutput. In addition, the electronic device 100 according to the presentinvention is configured such that if the user approaches the electronicdevice 100 that is outputting various pieces of information, theoutputting of the information that is being output to the electronicdevice 100 before the user approaches the electronic device 100 isterminated and information relating to the approaching user is output.

The control method of outputting the information relating to the userwho approaches the electronic device 100 is described in more detailbelow.

As described above, the electronic device 100 includes the sensing unit140 detects that the user approaches a main body 101 of the electronicdevice. As one example, the sensing unit 140 detects whether or not theuser approaches the main body 101 of the electronic device, using aproximity sensor (not illustrated).

The sensing unit 140 may detect that the user approaches the electronicdevice 100, using at least one of the A/V input and output unit 120 andthe wireless communication unit 110.

For example, if an image corresponding to the user is included in animage that is input through the camera 121, the controller 180determines that the user approaches the main body 101 of the electronicdevice. In addition, the controller 180 additionally determines howclose the user approaches the main body 101 of the electronic device, bydetecting what percentage of the region of the image the imagecorresponding to the user occupies. By using the result of thedetermination, the controller 180 determines whether or not the userapproaches the main body closely such that the user can substantiallyuse the information that is output in the main body.

In order to detect the approaching user through the camera 121, thecamera 121 is always in the activated state or is in the activated stateat predetermined time intervals.

In addition, if the controller 180 detects a user's voice through themicrophone 122, the controller 180 determines that the user approachesthe main body. In this case, the microphone 122 is always in theactivated state or in the activated state in the predetermined timeintervals in such a manner that it can detect the user's voice.

In addition, the controller 180 determines whether or not the userapproaches the main body, depending on whether or not the externaldevice with which the wireless communication unit 110 can communicate isdetected. For example, the wireless communication unit 110 communicateswith the external device using at least one among communicationstandards, such as wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi), digital living networkalliance DLNA, near field communication (NFC), infrared data association(IrDa), ultra wideband (UWB), ZigBee, Bluetooth (BT), and Wi-Fi Direct.If the external device that is available for communication is detectedthrough the wireless communication unit 110 using at least one among thecommunication standards, the controller 180 determines that the userapproaches the main body. That is, the controller 180 detects whether ornot the user carrying the external device (for example, a smart phone)approaches the main body 101 of the electronic device, by detecting theexternal device through the wireless communication unit 110.

In addition, the controller 180 measures relative strength of a signalbetween the wireless communication unit 110 and the external device. Thecontroller 180 determines whether or not the user approaches the mainbody closely such that the user can substantially use the informationthat is output in the main body.

In this manner, when it is detected that the user approaches the mainbody 101 of the electronic device, the controller 180 of the electronicdevice 100 according to the present invention identifies the user who isdetected as approaching the main body 101 of the electronic device. Thatis, the controller 180 determines who the user approaching the main bodyis. For example, information on the multiple users, for example,identification information on each family member, is stored in thememory 160, the controller 180 identifies who the user who approachesthe main body 101 of the electronic device is, using the identificationinformation.

This identification of the user is made using various methods, such as amethod employing a face recognition function through the user of thecamera 121 and a method employing a fingerprint recognition function.For example, among a piece of facial information, a piece of voiceinformation, and a piece of fingerprint information on the user, atleast one piece of information, is stored in the memory 160. Thecontroller 180 determines who the user who currently approaches the mainbody 101 of the electronic device is, using the pieces of informationstored in the memory 160.

In addition, the identification of the user is made using identificationinformation on the external device that is detected through the wirelesscommunication unit 110. For example, a specific user uses his/her ownspecific external device (for example, a smart phone, a watch phone, anda glasses phone), and the specific external device has its ownidentification information. Accordingly, user information (for example,a user's name) and an identification number of the user's specificexternal device (for example, a serial number of the terminal, an accesspoint (AP) number, Bluetooth information, near field communication (NFC)information are stored in advance in the memory 160. The controller 180identifies the specific user by comparing (referring to) informationdetected through the wireless communication unit 110 and the informationstored in the memory 160.

For example, if the external device equipped with the NFC function istagged with respect to a peripheral device that is connected to the mainbody 101 or the electronic device 100 equipped with the NFC function,the controller 180 identifies the tagged external device and the user ofthe external device.

In addition, in the electronic device 100 according to the presentinvention, a constituent element that is used to detect the approachinguser is different from a constituent element that is used to identifythe user. For example, in order to identify who the user is, thecontroller 180 detects the approaching user through the proximitysensor, then activates the camera 121, receives a user's facial image,and uses a face recognition function.

On the other hand, when the user is identified, the controller 180outputs the information relating to the user to the display unit 151. Atthis time, the information is output in a way that differs according tothe distance between the main body 101 of the electronic device and theuser.

For example, if the distance between the main body 101 of the electronicdevice and the user, as illustrated in FIG. 4(a), is a referencedistance “a”, and the distance between the main body 101 of theelectronic device and the user, as illustrated in FIG. 4(b), is areference distance “b” that is shorter than the reference distance “a”,the controller 180 performs control in such a manner that the way inwhich the information is output in the case of the distance “a” differsfrom the way in which the information is output in case of the distance“b”.

For example, if the user is positioned at the distance “a”, thecontroller 180 outputs the information relating to the user using anaural way. If the user is positioned at the distance “b”, the controller180 outputs the information relating to the user using at least one ofthe visual way and the aural way.

That is, if the distance between the main body 101 of the electronicdevice and the user is a reference distance or above, the controller 180outputs the information relating to the user using the speaker. If thedistance between the main body 101 of the electronic device and the useris below the reference distance, the controller 180 outputs theinformation relating to the user using at least one of the speaker andthe display unit 151.

In addition, if the user is positioned at the reference distance “a”,the controller 180 outputs aural information as a sound at a level 3. Ifthe user is positioned at the reference distance “b”, the controller 180outputs the aural information as a sound at a level 1.

In addition, if the user is positioned at the reference distance “a”,the controller 180 outputs text (characters) in such a manner that thetext is larger in size than when the user is positioned at the referencedistance “b”. That is, the information that is output to the displayunit 151 differs according to the distance between the main body 101 ofthe electronic device and the user.

In addition, when the distance between the main body 101 of theelectronic device and the user changes as the user approaches the mainbody 101 of the electronic device, the controller 180 outputs theinformation in a proper way according to the changing distance. Forexample, if the distance between the main body 101 of the electronicdevice and the user changes from the reference distance “a”, to thereference distance “b”, the controller 180 terminates the outputting ofthe aural information and outputs the visual information. That is, ifthe user moves a distance such that the distance between the main body101 of the electronic device and the user changes from the referencedistance or above to below the reference distance, the information thatis output through the speaker is output through the display unit 151 oris output through both of the speaker and the display unit 151.

The distance between the main body 101 of the electronic device and theuser described above is measured in various ways. For example, thedistance between the main body 101 of the electronic device and the useris measured using at least one of the camera 121, the microphone 122,the proximity sensor, and the wireless communication unit 110.

The information relating to the user that is output as the result ofidentifying the user is information that is stored in the memory 160 ofthe electronic device 100 or information that is received from theuser's mobile terminal (for example, the smart phone) of the user orfrom a cloud server.

For example, the controller 180 stores the information relating to theuser in the memory 160 and when the user is identified, outputs thestored information relating to the user. The information relating to theuser is information that is stored by the identified user or informationthat is stored by another user.

For example, if the identified user is defined as a first user, a seconduser who is not the first user may have information that he/she desiresto let the first user know. In this case, the second user stores in thememory 160 the information that he/she will let the first user know, andwhen the first user approaches the main body, applies a control command(for example, which is generated through a voice command or a touchoperation) to the electronic device 100 in such a manner as to outputthe information. Then, corresponding to the control command, thecontroller 180 controls the electronic device 100 in such a manner thatthe information received from the second user is output to the firstuser. As one example, if a configuration is provided such that the usercan be recognized through face recognition, when information of whichthe outputting is reserved by the second user different from the firstuser is present, in response to the reception of the facial image of theuser through the camera 121, the controller 180 controls an outputtingunit 150 in such a manner that the reserved information is output.

As another example, corresponding to the user being identified, thecontroller 180 receives the information relating to the user from themobile terminal of the identified user. The information relating to theuser includes at least one piece of information, among a piece of eventinformation that is generated in the mobile terminal, the piece of eventinformation that is generated in the mobile terminal but not checked bythe user, a piece of information that corresponds to a predeterminedimportance level, a piece of information relating to a predeterminedapplication that is installed in the mobile terminal, and a piece ofinformation that is selected for outputting in the electronic device bythe user. That is, there are many types of information that aretransmitted from the mobile terminal to the electronic device 100.

Even though the mobile terminal is not positioned in the vicinity of themain body 101 of the electronic device, the controller 180 receivesinformation from the mobile terminal and thus outputs the receivedinformation through the outputting unit 150. Accordingly, aconfiguration is provided such that even though the electronic device100 is positioned in a first space and the user's mobile terminal ispositioned in a second space that is separated from the first space, theinformation relating to the mobile terminal can be received through theelectronic device 100. Accordingly, even though the user does not carrythe mobile terminal, he/she can use the information relating to his/hermobile terminal through the electronic device 100.

In addition, the controller 180 outputs together information receivedfrom at least one different user's mobile terminal, not the currentuser's mobile terminal, according to a type of information that isoutput.

For example, the controller 180 receives the pieces of scheduleinformation on the family members, the pieces of information on thefamily members that have to be shared between the family members, fromthe mobile terminals of different users who correspond to the familymembers, and outputs the pieces of schedule information along with thepiece of schedule information on the identified user.

In order to help understand the disclosure above, a description isprovided in detail below referring to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 5a to FIG. 5d are diagrams, each illustrating an example in whichwhen a specific user is identified in the electronic device 100according to the present invention, the information is displayed on thedisplay unit 151.

Referring to FIG. 5a , if it is detected that the user approaches themain body 101 of the electronic device and that user is identified, thecontroller 180 output the information relating to the identified user.

At this time, as described above, the controller 180 outputs theinformation relating to the user in ways that differ depending on thedistance between the main body 101 of the electronic device and theuser. For example, as described above referring FIG. 4(a), if thedistance between the main body 101 of the electronic device and the userdeviates from the reference distance (for example, the distance betweenthe user and the main body is “a”), the controller 180 outputs theinformation so greatly that the user can identify the visual informationfrom a distance away. As one example, the information relating to theidentified user is information relating to the message and the distancebetween the main body 101 of the electronic device and the user is thereference distance or above, the controller 180 greatly outputs only agraphic object 151 e indicating that a message to be checked is present.

In addition, for the user who is positioned out of the referencedistance, the controller 180 outputs the information on the messagethrough the voice. Accordingly, the user is provided with theinformation from the electronic device 100 through the sound.

In addition, if the distance between the user and the main body is thereference distance or below (for example, if the distance between theuser and the main body is “b”, as illustrated in FIG. 4(b)), thecontroller 180 outputs content of the message immediately, instead ofdisplaying a graphic object indicating the message being received. Onthe other hand, if the user approaches closer and closer to the mainbody 101 of the electronic device, the controller 180 performs thecontrol in such a manner that when the distance between the main body101 of the electronic device and the user is the reference distance orabove, only the graphic object indicating the presence of the message isoutput. However, the controller 180 performs the control in such amanner that when the user comes within the reference distance, thecontent of the message is immediately output.

If the distance between the main body 101 of the electronic device andthe user is the reference distance or above, as illustrated in FIG. 5c ,the controller 180 executes a voice-related function (for example, avoice recognition function, a voice outputting function or the like) sothat the user can control the electronic device 100 fast and easily. Thevoice outputting function here is used in outputting the informationrelating to the user. In addition, the controller 180 controls the audiooutput unit 152 in such a manner that voice volume differ depending onthe distance between the user and the main body 101 of the electronicdevice.

In addition, the controller 180 generates a control signal forcontrolling the electronic device 100 using the user's voice that isinput through the microphone 122. The control signal is configured suchthat it is transmitted to at least one different electronic device thatis connected to the electronic device 100 through the wirelesscommunication unit 110. In this case, at least one different electronicdevice is controlled based on the user's voice.

On the other hand, if it is detected that the user approaches the mainbody, and thus the user is positioned out of the reference distance, thecontroller 180 activates a wake-up mode in which the microphone 122waits for the user's voice to be input. For example, if the microphone122 is always activated, there occurs a problem that even though thevoice is not a voice for controlling the electronic device 100, thecontroller 180 recognizes that voice as the voice for controlling theelectronic device 100. Accordingly, the microphone 122 is activated (orthe wake-up mode is activated) only when a setting is provided inadvance. The setting is provided in advance, as described above, is whenthe approaching user is detected or when the approaching user isdetected and the distance between the user and the main body 101 of theelectronic device is the reference distance or above.

In this manner, after the wake-up mode for the microphone 122 isactivated, if a voice is not input into the microphone 122 for apredetermined time, the wake-up mode for the microphone 122 isinactivated. That is, if the wake-up mode for the microphone 122 isinactivated, even though the user inputs his/her voice into theelectronic device 100, the controller 180 does not recognize this inputas the control command for controlling the electronic device 100. Inthis case, the user activates back the wake-up mode for the microphone122 by performing a separate operation on the electronic device 100.

On the other hand, if a voice is input through the microphone 122, thecontroller 180 analyzes the voice that is input and generates thecontrol command that corresponds to the analyzed voice.

As one example, the controller 180 converts into text the voice that isinput, using a text-to-text technology. Then, the text that results fromthe conversion is compared with the control command stored in the memory160, and thus the control command that corresponds to the text thatresults from the conversion is selected.

As another example, using a natural language processing technology, thecontroller 180 understand a language corresponding to the voice that isinput and generates the control command that corresponds to theunderstood language. That is, the controller 180 analyzes the meaning ofthe voice that is input, and generates the control command thatcorresponds to the analyzed meaning.

On the other hand, the control command described above is transmitted toat least one different electronic device in the form of the controlsignal through wireless communication.

It is apparent that even though the distance between the main body 101of the electronic device and the user is the reference distance orbelow, the voice recognition function is executed.

On the other hand, while the user is out of reference distance withrespect to the main body 101 of the electronic device and thus thecontrol command is being received through the voice, when the user moveswithin the reference distance with respect to the main body, at leastone visual key is output to the display unit 151 in such a manner thatthe control command is received through a user's touch. In addition,even though the user moves such that the distance between the main body101 of the electronic device and the user changes from the referencedistance or above to below the reference distance, the controller 180continuously executes a function that corresponds to a user's voicecontrol command that is input through the micro. That is, if the voicerecognition function is activated and then the user moves within thereference distance with respect to the main body, the controller 180continuously maintains an activated state of the voice recognitionfunction.

As illustrated in FIG. 5d , the controller 180 outputs relatedinformation, based on an identified user's life pattern stored in thememory 160 and current time. For example, if current time corresponds tomorning rush hour, the controller 180 outputs information relating to ameans of transportation that is frequently used by the identified user.

On the other hand, if the information relating to the approaching useris not present (that is, if the user is not identified) or if theinformation that has to be output in relation to the identified user isnot available, the controller 180 outputs pertinent informationaccording to the existing conditions.

As described above, when the approaching user is detected, theelectronic device 100 according to the present invention detects who theapproaching user is and how close the approaching user comes to the mainbody and provides the information relating to the identified user.Accordingly, the user can be provided with information tailed to his/herneeds.

An embodiment associated with the information that is displayed on themain region 151 a and the sub region 151 b using the various controlmethods described above is described in detail below.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart for describing operation of the electronic device100 according to the present invention. FIG. 7 to FIG. 13 are diagrams,each illustrating an embodiment associated with the operation of theelectronic device 100 described referring to FIG. 3a to FIG. 3 c.

Referring to FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, the first screen information is outputto the main region 151 a that is in an ON state (S310). The first screeninformation, as described above, includes the visual informationrelating to the various functions of the electronic device 100. FIG. 7illustrates that the first screen information including current time anda current weather report is output to the main region 151 a.

If an event occurs in a state where the first screen information isoutput to the main region 151 a (S320), in response to the occurrence ofthe event, the controller 180 outputs to the sub region 151 b the secondscreen information associated with the first screen information that isoutput to the main region 151 a before the event occurs (S330).

The event includes all possible changes in the electronic device 100,such as a touch on the display unit 151, a reception of a signal throughthe wireless communication unit 110, the detection of the approachinguser by the sensing unit 140, and elapsing of a predetermined period oftime. In addition, the event occurs if information is received from theexternal device (for example, a user's mobile phone or smart phone)connected to the electronic device. For example, if a message isreceived from the external device, the external device transmits messageinformation on the received message to the electronic device.Accordingly, the user can check the message received from the externaldevice, through the electronic device according to the presentinvention.

On the other hand, the second screen information is the same in propertyas the first screen information, but is information that is visuallytransformed. For example, if the first screen information is in theshape of a digital watch that indicates current time numerically, thesecond screen information is in the shape of an analog watch thatindicates the current time with an hour hand and a minute hand. That is,the second screen information is the same in content as the first screeninformation, but is different in display form from the first screeninformation. In addition, the second screen information is in the shapeof the summarized first screen information. As one example, if the firstscreen information indicates energy-related information in detail, suchas the status of the various electronic devices 100 being used and powerconsumption, the second screen information is configured such that itindicates the power consumption in a simple manner.

On the other hand, if an event occurs, information relating to the eventis output to the main region 151 a. The event-related information isoutput to the main region 151 a, and almost at the same time the secondscreen information is output to the sub region 151 b.

The controller 180 outputs the second screen information to a specificposition within the sub region 151 b according to a type of the firstscreen information. FIG. 7 illustrates that if the message is receivedthrough the wireless communication unit 110 (the occurrence of theevent), the first screen information including current-time informationin the shape of a digital watch and the current weather report that areoutput to the main region 151 a is output in the shape of thetransformed second screen information to the sub region 151 b.Specifically, the second screen information includes the current-timeinformation that is output in the shape of an analog watch and thecurrent weather report that is displayed in a simple manner.

If the first screen information is information relating to time, as thetime goes by, the controller 180 changes a position within the subregion 151 b, to which the second screen information is output. Thecurrent-time information that is displayed on the sub region 151 b isconfigured such that positions of the hour hand and the minute handchange as time goes by. The current weather information is set such thatit is displayed adjacent to the hour hand.

On the other hand, the information relating to the message (theinformation relating to the event) is output to the main region 151 a.For example, as illustrated, the information relating to the event isconfigured such that it is output in the shape of an icon and detailedinformation is output with the control signal that occurs thereafter itis output in the shape of the icon or such that it is output in theshape of the icon the detailed information is output immediately.

In the control method described above, if an event occurs, not only theinformation relating to the event but also the information before theevent occurs is output to the display unit 151. Thus, the user can beprovided with the information more effectively.

Referring to FIG. 8, when an event occurs and then a different eventoccurs, the controller 180 is configured such that information relatingto the different event is output to the main region 151 a in a statewhere information relating to the event is output.

At this time, the main region 151 a is divided into multiple regions 151a-1 and 151 a-2. The information relating to the event and theinformation relating to the different event are output to the multipleregions 151 a-1 and 151 a-2, respectively. FIG. 8 illustrates that in astate where a message is received (an event occurs), informationrelating to the received message is output to the main region 151 a, andthe current-time information and the current weather report that areoutput to the main region 151 a are transformed and are displayed on thesub region 151 b, when an alarm goes off (another event occurs), themain region 151 a are divided into two regions 151 a-1 and 151 a-2 towhich a message reception icon and an alarm icon are output,respectively.

The size of the message icon that is output to the main region 151 abecomes smaller than when the message icon alone is output to the mainregion 151 a in such a manner that the user can intuitively recognize anevent that recently occurs. The icon that indicates the alarm, the eventthat recently occurs, is output in such a manner that the icon is largerin size than the message icon. In addition, the regions 151 a-1 and 151a-2 that result from dividing the main region 151 a are adjusted in sizeto provide this effect.

On the other hand, a configuration is provided such that when an eventoccurs and then a different event occurs, information relating to theevent that is output to the main region 151 a is moved to the sub region151 b and is output and only information relating to the different eventis output to the main region 151 a. If events sequentially occur,whether information relating to the events that is output to the mainregion 151 a is made to remain in the main region 151 a or is moved tothe sub region 151 b and is output changes depending on a user'ssetting. For example, if an event occurs and then a different occurswithin a predetermined time, the events are separately displayed on themain region 151 a. Alternatively, the event is set in such a manner thatit is moved to the sub region 151 b and is output.

In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 9, if the multiple eventssequentially occur, the controller 180 performs the control in such amanner that the multiple regions 151 a-1 and 151 a-2 that correspond tothe multiple events, respectively, are output. FIG. 9 illustrates thatif a message is received and then an alarm goes off, a different mainregion 151 a-2 to which information relating to the alarm is output,which is the same in shape as or similar in shape to the main region 151a-1 to which information relating to the message is output, is furtheroutput.

At this time, as the main region 151 a-1 contains the information thathas occurred more recently, the mains region 151 a-1 is output with thesize thereof becoming larger. Accordingly, the user can recognize orderin which the events have occurred, based on the sizes of the mainregions 151 a-1 and 151 a-2.

Referring to FIG. 10, when the outputting of the information relating tothe event that is output to the main region 151 a is terminated, thefirst screen information is output back to the main region 151 a. Atthis time, when the first screen information is output back to the mainregion 151 a, the outputting of the second screen information that isbeing output to the sub region 151 b is terminated.

For example, as illustrated in FIG. 10(a), the first screen informationincluding and the current-time information and the current weatherreport is displayed on the main region 151 a before an event occurs. Asillustrated in FIG. 10(b), when a message is received through thewireless communication unit 110 (an event occurs), at least one portionof the first screen information is transformed into the second screeninformation and is moved to the sub region 151 b, and informationrelating to the message is output to the main region 151 a.

As illustrated in FIGS. 10(c) and 10(d), when the outputting of theinformation relating to the message is terminated based on the selectionby the user, the information relating to the message disappears from themain region 151 a, at least one portion of the second screen informationthat is output to the sub region 151 b is transformed back into thefirst screen information and is moved to the main region 151 a and isoutput. As a result, the second screen information that is output to thesub region 151 b disappears.

Referring to FIG. 11, when at least one portion of the first screeninformation is dragged to the sub region 151 b, the controller 180performs the control in such a manner that the second screen informationis output to a position to which the at least one portion of the firstscreen information is dragged. At this time, the first screeninformation includes multiple graphic objects, the at least one portionof the first screen information is at least one of the multiple graphicobjects, and the second screen information is information relating tothe at least one graphic object.

As illustrated in FIG. 11(a), a to-do list, the first screeninformation, is displayed on the main region 151 a. The multiple graphicobjects are detailed items in the to-do list. As illustrated in FIGS.11(b) and 10(c), when in a state where an analog watch is displayed onthe sub region 151 b, the user selects at least one of the detaileditems “at least one graphic object 151 f” and drags the selected graphicobject to a position that corresponds to specific time indicated in theanalog watch, the second screen information relating to the selecteditem is displayed as an icon 151 a.

At this time, a new event occurs according to a conjunction relationshipestablished between the information displayed on the sub region 151 band the second information that newly occurs. For example, asillustrated in FIG. 11(d), when the graphic object 151 c indicating anhour hand overlaps a corresponding icon 151 g, an alarm unit 153generates an alarm signaling that the corresponding item should be done.The alarm is output to the main region 151 a. A configuration may beprovided such that sound is output through the audio output module 152.

Referring to FIG. 12, when at least one portion of the first screeninformation is dragged to the sub region 151 b, the controller 180performs the control in such a manner that the second screen informationis output to a specific position within the sub region 151 b accordingto a type of the first screen information. At this time, the firstscreen information remains output to the main region 151 a.

When a graphic object for weather that is output to the main region 151a, as illustrated in FIG. 12(a), is dragged to the sub region 151 b in astate where the current weather report is output to the main region 151a and the current time is output in the shape of an analog watch to thesub region 151 b, a weather forecast, illustrated in FIG. 12(b), isoutput according to specific hours in conjunction with the analog watch.At this time, the current weather information is continuously output tothe main region 151 a. Accordingly, the user can obtain more detailedinformation on the first screen information that is output to the mainregion 151 a.

Thereafter, as illustrated in FIGS. 12(c) and 12(d), when the userselects one of the graphic objects that are included in the secondscreen information that is output to the sub region 151 b and drags theselected graphic object to the main region 151 a, weather forecastinformation that is displayed on the sub region 151 b disappears.

On the other hand, referring to FIG. 13, the main region 151 a and thesub region 151 b differ in size according to a type of event. In ageneral state, because the event and content associated with maininformation and the like are output to the main region 151 a, contentassociated with sub information is output to the sub region 151 b, thesub region 151 b is output in such a manner that the sub region 151 b issmaller in size than the main region 151 a. However, if the informationthat is output to the main region 151 a is equal to the information thatis output to the sub region 151 b, the size of the sub region 151 b isset to be larger than in a general state.

For example, when the user selects a specific city (for example, London)in a state where a list for setting the time anywhere in the world isoutput to the main region 151 a, the current time in the city (forexample, Seoul) in which the user is positioned is displayed on the mainregion 151 a and the current time in the specific city is displayed onthe sub region 151 b. The current time in the city in which the user ispositioned and the current time in the specific city are equalinformation in that they indicate the current time according to cities.Accordingly, the controller 180 increases the size of the sub region 151b in such a manner that the sub region 151 b appears similar to the mainregion 151 a.

On the other hand, if the current time is displayed in the analog shape,because morning and afternoon cannot be distinguished, the controller180 outputs the corresponding regions 151 a and 151 b in the morning ina brightened manner and outputs the corresponding regions 151 a and 151b in the afternoon in a relatively darkened manner. In addition, aconfiguration is provided such that as time goes by, backgrounds of thecorresponding regions 151 a and 151 b gets brighter and brighter or getsdarker and darker.

FIG. 14 to FIG. 16 are diagrams, each illustrating an example in whichanother electronic device is controlled through the electronic device100 according to the present invention.

As described above, the wireless communication unit 110 is configuredsuch that it can communicate with at least one different electronicdevice (external device). For example, if the electronic device 100 isconnected to other electronic devices within one given space and thusmakes up a home network, the other electronic devices are householdappliances that are installed in the home.

As illustrated in FIG. 14(a), in a controlled mode of the externaldevice, a list of controllable external devices is output to the mainregion 151 a. If the user selects a specific electronic device,information (the first screen information) relating to the status of theselected electronic device is output as illustrated in FIG. 14(b). Ifthe information relating to the status includes multiple items, the mainregion 151 a is divided into multiple regions, and the multiple itemsare output to the multiple regions that result from the division,respectively.

As illustrated in FIG. 14(c), if a predetermined-type touch is appliedto the sub region 151 b in a state where information relating to thestatus of the selected electronic device is output to the main region151 a, the controller 180 performs the control in such a manner thatcontrol information relating to control of the selected electronicdevice is transmitted to the selected electronic device through thewireless communication unit 110. At this time, the controller 180changes the first screen information to information relating to thestatus of the different electronic device that is changed based on thecontrol information.

As one example, when successive touches are clockwise applied to the subregion 151 b in a state where the user selects an air conditioner fromthe list of external devices and then selects a temperature-related itemfrom among various controllable items, the controller 180 transmits thecontrol information relating to an increase in temperature that is set,to the air conditioner through the wireless communication unit 110. Incontrast, when the successive touches are counterclockwise applied tothe sub region 151 b, the controller 180 transmits the controlinformation relating to a decrease in the temperature that is set, tothe air conditioner through the wireless communication unit 110. At thistime, the first screen information that is output to the main region 151a is current temperature and is changed based on the control informationrelating to the increase or decrease in the temperature that is set.

On the other hand, as illustrated in FIG. 15, at least one portion ofthe control information is displayed on the sub region 151 b. In thiscase, the control of the selected item is performed by applying thetouch input to the sub region 151 b. In the embodiments described above,when the temperature-related item is selected from among the variouscontrollable items, currently-set temperature 151 h is displayed on thesub region 151 b. And when the successive touches are counterclockwiseapplied to the sub region 151 b (for example, the drag that iscounterclockwise applied), the currently-set temperature 151 h graduallyincreases with the applied touch. In this case, when the drag is appliedin the opposite direction, the currently-set temperature graduallyincreases. That is, the control is differently performed on the selecteditem according to a touch input direction.

Referring to FIG. 16, a visual key for receiving the control commandassociated with a change in the status of the different electronicdevice is output to the sub region 151 b. In addition, a configurationis provided such that when the user approaches the main body 101 of theelectronic device such that the distance between the user and the mainbody 101 is the reference distance below, the controller 180 performsthe control in such a manner that a visual key 151 j is output. In thiscase, the controller 180 displays the list of controllable externaldevices differently or limits some of the controllable items, dependingon whether the presence or absence of the user's authority that isstored in the memory 160.

As illustrated, the visual key 151 j is a key that controls theinformation that is output to the main region by applying the touchinput. For example, the increase or decrease in the currently-settemperature that is displayed on the main region is adjusted by thevisual key 151 j.

FIG. 17 and FIG. 18 are diagrams, each for describing an operation thatdepends on the identification of the user, the extent with which theuser approaches the main body 101 of the electronic device, and theidentification of the different user in the electronic device 100according to the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 17(a), as described above, the controller 180 isconfigured in such a manner as to identify the approaching user which isdetected by the sensing unit 140 and outputs the information relating tothe identified user to the main region 151 a. FIG. 17(a) illustratesthat the first screen information including schedule items 151 k and 151m associated with the identified user who approaches the main body 101of the electronic device such that the distance between the user and themain body 101 is the reference distance or below is output to the mainregion 151 a.

Thereafter, as illustrated in FIG. 17(b), a configuration is providedsuch that when the distance between the main body 101 of the electronicdevice and the user is greater than the reference distance (the eventoccurs), the first screen information relating to the identified user,which is output to the main region 151 a, is output as the pieces 151 k′and 151 m′ of second screen information to the sub region 151 b. At thistime, the first screen information disappears from the main screen. Whenthe user approaches the main body 101 of the electronic device such thatthe distance between the user and the main body 101 is the referencedistance or below, the second screen information that is output to thesub region 151 b is output, as the first screen information, back to themain region 151 a.

As illustrated in FIG. 17(c), when the user moves far away from the mainbody 101 of the electronic device and thus the sensing unit 140 is in astate where it cannot detect the user, the second screen informationdisappears from the sub region 151 b. That is, the display unit 151 isin the inactivated OFF state.

On the other hand, referring to FIG. 18, when the sensing unit 140detects another user who approaches, not the identified user, theinformation relating to the identified user, which is output to the mainregion 151 a, is output to the sub region 151 b. Accordingly, theprivacy of the identified user is protected.

As illustrated in FIG. 18(a), when while the user checks the firstscreen information including the schedule items 151 k and 151 m that areoutput to the main region 151 a, a different user approaches, thecontroller 180 detects the different user through the sensing unit 140and briefly displays the first information that is output to the mainregion 151 a, as the pieces 151 k′ and 151 m of second screeninformation, to the sub region 151 b. In addition, when the differentuser approaches, the outputting of the information relating to theidentified user, which is output to the main region 151 a is terminated.

The control method described in the present specification is realized asprocessor-readable codes on a program-recorded medium.

A ROM, a RAM, a CD-ROM, a magnetic tape, a floppy disk, an optical datastorage device and the like are examples of the medium, and the mediummay be realized in the form of a carrier wave (for example, atransmission over the Internet).

The configuration and the method of the embodiments according to thepresent invention, described above, are not applied in a limitingmanner, but all of or some of the embodiments may be selectivelycombined with each other to create various modifications to theembodiments.

It will also be apparent to those skilled in the art that variousmodifications and variations can be made in the present inventionwithout departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, it isintended that the present invention cover modifications and variationsof this invention provided they come within the scope of the appendedclaims and their equivalents.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The preferred embodiments of the present invention provide an electronicdevice capable of outputting information in various manners, which canbe applied to various industrial fields.

1. An electronic device comprising: a display unit that includes a main region and a sub region surrounding the main region; and a controller that, in response to an occurrence of an event, outputs to the sub region a second screen information associated with a first screen information that is output to the main region before the event occurs.
 2. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein when the event occurs, information relating to the event is output to the main region.
 3. The electronic device of claim 2, wherein when a different event occurs after the event has occurred, the controller outputs information relating to the different event to the main region, while the information relating to the event is being output to the main region.
 4. The electronic device of claim 2, wherein when the outputting of the information relating to the event that is output to the main region is terminated, the first screen information is output back to the main region.
 5. The electronic device of claim 4, wherein when the first screen information is output back to the main region, the outputting of the second screen information that is being output to the sub region is terminated.
 6. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein when the multiple events sequentially occur, the controller outputs the multiple main regions that correspond to the multiple events, respectively.
 7. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the controller outputs the second screen information to a specific position within the sub region according to a type of the first screen information.
 8. The electronic device of claim 7, wherein when the first screen information is information relating to time, as the time goes by, the controller changes the position within the sub region, to which the second screen information is output.
 9. The electronic device of claim 1, further comprising: a wireless communication unit that is configured to communicate with at least one different electronic device, wherein if the first screen information is information relating to a status of the different electronic device, in response to a predetermined-type touch on the sub region, the controller transmits control information relating to control of the different electronic device to the different electronic device through the wireless communication unit and changes the first screen information to information relating to the status of the different electronic device that is changed based on the control information.
 10. The electronic device of claim 9, wherein at least one portion of the control information is displayed on the sub region.
 11. The electronic device of claim 9, wherein a visual key for receiving a control command associated with a change in the status of the different electronic device is output to the sub region.
 12. The electronic device of claim 11, further comprising: a sensing unit that is configured to detect that a user approaches a main body of the electronic device, wherein when the user approaches the main body of the electronic device in such a manner that a distance between the user and the main body is a predetermined distance or below, the controller outputs the visual key.
 13. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein when at least one portion of the first screen information is dragged to the sub region, the controller outputs the second screen information to a position to which the at least one portion of the first screen information is dragged.
 14. The electronic device of claim 13, wherein the first screen information includes multiple graphic objects, wherein the at least one portion of the first screen information is at least one of the multiple graphic objects, and wherein the second screen information is information relating to the at least one graphic object.
 15. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein when the second screen information is output to the sub region in response to the occurrence of the event, the first screen information disappears from the main region.
 16. The electronic device of claim 15, wherein when the second screen information that is output to the sub region is dragged to the main region in a state where the first screen information disappears from the main region, the first screen information is output back to the main region.
 17. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the main region differs in size from the sub region according to a type of the event.
 18. The electronic device of claim 1 further comprising: a sensing unit that is formed to detect that the user approaches a main body of the electronic device, wherein the controller identifies the user whom the sensing unit detects as approaching the main body and outputs information relating to the identified user to the main region.
 19. The electronic device of claim 18, wherein when a distance between the main body of the electronic device and the user is a reference distance or above, information relating to the identified user, which is output to the main region, is output to the sub region.
 20. The electronic device of claim 18, wherein when the sensing unit detects that a different user, not the identified user, approaches, the outputting of the information relating to the identified user, which is being output to the main region, is terminated. 